2021
Improvement of Soybean Germplasm for Aquaculture Feed
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Contributor/Checkoff:
Nebraska Soybean Board
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
GeneticsGenomicsSeed quality
Parent Project:
Improvement of Soybean Germplasm for Aquaculture Feed
Lead Principal Investigator:
Ed Cahoon, University of Nebraska
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
1716
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Nebraska Soybean Board
$70,392
Institution Funded:
University of Nebraska at Lincoln
$70,392
Brief Project Summary:

This project aims to develop soybean germplasm with oil quality traits optimized for high value soy-based aquaculture feeds. The project is consistent with the Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB) 2019-2022 Strategic Plan priority of supporting research projects that find innovative soy utilization and/or identify new soy markets to maximize production and utilization of Nebraska soybeans. The research builds on past NSB funding that led to the development of soybeans containing the fish oil fatty acid EPA, astaxanthin for fish flesh pigmentation, and enhanced vitamin E antioxidants for improved fish shelf-life. The project will continue the development of germplasm producing these two high-value...

Unique Keywords:
#seed composition
Information And Results
Project Deliverables

Aim 1. Developing soybean germplasm with oils enriched in EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids.
Aim 2. Optimizing production of astaxanthin in soybean seeds.
Aim 3. Applying emerging synthetic biology techniques to stack EPA/DHA omega-3 fatty acid, astaxanthin, and high vitamin E antioxidant traits into Nebraska soybean germplasm.
Aim 4. Conducting physiological and field-evaluation of new aquaculture germplasm to optimize agronomic performance.

Final Project Results

Updated May 19, 2023:

View uploaded report PDF file

The project has addressed the Nebraska Soybean Board focus area of germplasm improvement for composition and yield. The project has generated germplasm that produces seed oils with the key, high value traits: fish oil EPA, astaxanthin pigment for consumer-desired fish flesh color, and high vitamin E antioxidants to stabilize EPA from production of off-flavors. Nearly 50% of fish that is consumed globally is farm-raised, and this production system is anticipated to expand as world population grows, ocean stocks of fish dwindle, and consumers place more emphasis on fish for healthy diets. Soybean is and will increasingly be a major sustainable source of aquaculture protein and oil feedstocks. Our research will increase the bushel price of soybeans and deliver high value oil traits that will increase the market share of Nebraska and US soybean for the aquaculture feed market.

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.